Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Factor viii, Von willebrand factor may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
The product is made from human plasma (the liquid part of the blood) and contains the active substances called human coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and human von Willebrand factor (VWF). Voncento is used for all age groups to prevent or to halt bleeding caused by the lack of VWF in von Willebrand disease (VWD) and the lack of FVIII in haemophilia A. Voncento is only used when treatment with another medicine, desmopressin, is not effective alone or cannot be given. VWF and FVIII are involved in blood clotting. Lack of either factor means that blood does not clot as quickly as it should so there is an increased tendency to bleed. The replacement of VWF and FVIII by Voncento will temporarily repair the blood clotting mechanisms.
As Voncento contains both FVIII and VWF, it is important to know which factor you most need. If you have haemophilia A your doctor will prescribe you Voncento with the number of units of FVIII specified. If you have VWD your doctor will prescribe you Voncento with the number of units of VWF specified.
2.
e Voncento
Do not use Voncento •
If you are allergic to VWF or FVIII or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions Traceability It is strongly recommended that every time Voncento is given, you record the date of administration, the batch number and the injected volume in your treatment diary. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking Voncento. •
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Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions are possible. If symptoms of hypersensitivity occur, you should stop using the medicine immediately and contact your doctor. Your doctor should inform you of the early signs of hypersensitivity reactions. These include hives, generalised skin rash, tightness of the chest, wheezing, fall in blood pressure and anaphylaxis (a serious allergic reaction that causes severe difficulty in breathing, or dizziness). The formation of inhibitors (antibodies) is a known complication that can occur during treatment with all factor VIII medicines. These inhibitors, especially at high levels, stop the treatment working properly and you or your child will be monitored carefully for the development of these inhibitors. If your or your child's bleeding is not being controlled with Voncento, tell your doctor immediately. If you have been told you have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease, tell your doctor or pharmacist. If for the administration of Voncento you will require a central venous access device (CVAD), the risk of CVAD-related complications including local infections, bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) and the formation of a blood clot in the blood vessel (thrombosis) where the catheter is inserted should be considered by your doctor. von Willebrand disease If you have a known risk of developing blood clots, you must be monitored for early signs of thrombosis (blood clotting). Your doctor should give you treatment to prevent thrombosis.
Virus safety When medicines are made from human blood or plasma, certain measures are put in place by the manufacturer to prevent infections being passed on to patients. These include: • careful selection of blood and plasma donors to make sure those at risk of carrying infections are excluded, • the testing of each donation and pools of plasma for signs of virus/infections,
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inclusion of steps in the processing of the blood or plasma that can inactivate or remove viruses.
Despite these measures, when medicines prepared from human blood or plasma are administered, the possibility of passing on infection cannot be totally excluded. This also applies to any unknown or emerging viruses or other types of infections. The measures taken are considered effective for so-called "enveloped" viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the AIDS virus), hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus (which cause inflammation of the liver), and for the "non-enveloped" hepatitis A virus (which also causes inflammation of the liver). The measures taken may be of limited value against non-enveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19. Parvovirus B19 infection may be serious • for pregnant women (as there is a risk of infection of the unborn child) and • for individuals with a weakened immune system or with an increased production of red blood cells due to certain types of anaemia (e.g. sickle cell anaemia or haemolytic anaemia). Your doctor may recommend that you consider being vaccinated against hepatitis A and B if you regularly/repeatedly receive human plasma-derived medicines such as Voncento. Children and adolescents The listed warnings and precautions apply to children and adolescents. Other medicines and Voncento •
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding • •
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. During pregnancy and breast-feeding, Voncento should be given only if it is clearly needed.
Driving and using machines Voncento does not affect your ability to drive and use machines. Voncento contains sodium The presentation 500 IU FVIII /1200 IU VWF (5 ml solvent) contains up to 14.75 mg sodium per vial (main component of cooking/table salt). This is equivalent to 0.74 % of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult. The presentation 1000 IU FVIII /2400 IU VWF (10 ml solvent) contains up to 29.50 mg
sodium per vial (main component of cooking/table salt). This is equivalent to 1.48% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
3.
Voncento
Your treatment should be monitored by a doctor who is experienced in the treatment of blood clotting disorders. If your doctor thinks you could administer Voncento yourself, appropriate instructions will be provided to you by your doctor. Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. Dose The amount of VWF and FVIII you need to take and the duration of treatment depend on: • the severity of your disease • the site and intensity of the bleeding • your clinical condition • your body weight (see also section "The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only"). If you have been prescribed Voncento to use at home, your doctor will make sure that you are shown how to inject it and how much to use. Follow the directions given to you by your doctor. Use in children and adolescents Dosing in children and adolescents aged < 18 years is based on body weight and is therefore generally based on the same instructions as for adults. In some cases, especially in younger patients, higher doses may be needed. If you use more Voncento than you should Five cases of overdose have been reported from clinical trials. No side effects have been associated with these reports. The risk of developing blood clots (thrombosis) cannot be excluded in case of an extremely high dose, especially in patients with VWD. If you forget to use Voncento • Proceed with your next dose immediately and continue at regular intervals as advised by your doctor. • Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you stop using Voncento Do not stop using Voncento without consulting your doctor. Reconstitution and application General Instructions • The powder must be mixed with the solvent (liquid) and withdrawn from the vial under aseptic conditions.
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Voncento must not be mixed with other medicines, diluents or solvents except those mentioned in section 6. The solution should be clear or slightly opalescent, i.e. it might be sparkling when held up to the light but must not contain any obvious particles. After filtering or withdrawal (see below) the solution should be checked by eye, before it is used. Do not use the solution if it is visibly cloudy or if it contains flakes or particles. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements and as instructed by your doctor.
Reconstitution Without opening the vials, warm the Voncento powder and the liquid to room or body temperature. This can be done either by leaving the vials at room temperature for about an hour, or by holding them in your hands for a few minutes. DO NOT expose the vials to direct heat. The vials must not be heated above body temperature (37 oC). Carefully remove the protective caps from the vials, and clean the exposed rubber stoppers with an alcohol swab. Allow the vials to dry before opening the Mix2Vial package (which contains the filter transfer device), then follow the instructions given below. 1. Open the Mix2Vial package by peeling off the lid. Do not remove the Mix2Vial from the blister package! 1 2. Place the solvent vial on an even, clean surface and hold the vial tight. Take the Mix2Vial together with the blister package and push the spike of the blue adapter end straight down through the solvent vial stopper. 2 3. Carefully remove the blister package from the Mix2Vial set by holding at the rim, and pulling vertically upwards. Make sure that you only pull away the blister package and not the Mix2Vial set. 3
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4. Place the product vial on an even and firm surface. Turn the solvent vial upside down with the Mix2Vial set attached and push the spike of the transparent adapter end straight down through the product vial stopper. The solvent will automatically flow into the product vial.
5. With one hand grasp the product-side of the Mix2Vial set. With the other hand grasp the solventside and unscrew the set carefully counterclockwise into two pieces to avoid excessive build-up of foam when dissolving the product. Discard the solvent vial with the blue Mix2Vial adapter attached. 5 6. Gently swirl the product vial with the transparent adapter attached until the substance is fully dissolved. Do not shake. 6 7. Draw air into an empty, sterile syringe. While the product vial is upright, connect the syringe to the Mix2Vial ́s Luer Lock fitting by screwing clockwise. Inject air into the product vial.
7 Withdrawal and application 8. While keeping the syringe plunger pressed, turn the system upside down and draw the solution into the syringe by pulling the plunger back slowly.
8 9. Now that the solution has been transferred into the syringe, firmly hold on to the barrel of the syringe (keeping the syringe plunger facing down) and disconnect the transparent Mix2Vial adapter from the syringe by unscrewing counterclockwise.
9 Use the venipuncture kit supplied with the product, insert the needle into a vein. Let blood flow back to the end of the tube. Attach the syringe to the threaded, locking end of the venipuncture kit. The use of plastic disposable syringes is recommended as the ground glass surfaces of all-glass syringes tend to stick with solutions of this type. Inject/infuse the reconstituted solution slowly (at a rate not more than 6 ml per minute) into the vein
following the instructions given to you by your doctor. Take care not to get any blood in the syringe containing the product. In case large volumes of Voncento are required, it is possible to pool several vials of Voncento together via a commercially available infusion set (e.g. a syringe pump for giving medicines into a vein). However, in these cases the initially reconstituted solution of Voncento should not be diluted any further. Check yourself for any side effects that might happen straight away. If you have any side effects that might be related to the administration of Voncento, the injection or infusion should be stopped (see also section 2). If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Voncento can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Please contact your doctor immediately if: • you notice symptoms of allergic reactions In some cases it may progress to a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) that causes severe difficulty in breathing, dizziness or shock. Allergic reactions may include the following symptoms: Swollen face, tongue, mouth or throat, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, hives, wheezing, burning and stinging where the infusion was given, chills, flushing, skin rash over the whole body, headache, fall in blood pressure, restlessness, faster heart beat, tightness of the chest (including chest pain and chest discomfort), back pain, tiredness (lethargy), nausea, vomiting, tingling. • you notice that the medicine stops working properly (bleeding is not stopped). For children not previously treated with factor VIII medicines, inhibitor antibodies (see section 2) may form very commonly (more than 1 in 10 patients); however patients who have received previous treatment with factor VIII (more than 150 days of treatment) the risk is uncommon (less than 1 in 100 patients). If this happens your or your child's medicines may stop working properly and you or your child may experience persistent bleeding. You may develop an inhibitor (neutralising antibody) to VWF, in which case VWF will not work properly any more. • you notice any symptoms of an impaired perfusion in your extremities (e.g. cold and pale extremities) or vital organs (e.g. severe chest pain) There is a risk of formation of blood clots (thrombosis), particularly in patients with known risk factors (see also section 2). The following side effect has been observed very commonly (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): • Headache The following side effects have been observed commonly (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): • Increase in body temperature The following side effects have been observed uncommonly (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
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Taste alteration (dysgeusia) Abnormal liver function test
Side effects in children and adolescents Side effects in children and adolescents are expected to be the same as in adults. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. This includes any
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the UK Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5.
Voncento
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Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the label and carton. Do not store above 25 °C. Do not freeze. Voncento does not contain a perservative, so the reconstituted product should be used immediately. If the reconstituted product is not administered immediately, storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user. Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
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6.
What Voncento contains The active substance is: 250 IU FVIII and 600 IU VWF per vial; after reconstitution with 5 ml of water for injection approx. 50 IU/ml FVIII and 120 IU/ml VWF. 500 IU FVIII and 1200 IU VWF per vial; after reconstitution with 10 ml of water for injection approx. 50 IU/ml FVIII and 120 IU/ml VWF. 500 IU FVIII and 1200 IU VWF per vial; after reconstitution with 5 ml of water for injections approx. 100 IU/ml FVIII and 240 IU/ml VWF. 1000 IU FVIII and 2400 IU VWF per vial; after reconstitution with 10 ml of water for injections approx. 100 IU/ml FVIII and 240 IU/ml VWF.
See section "The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only" for further information. The other ingredients are: Calcium chloride, human albumin, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sucrose, trometamol. See section 2 "Voncento contains sodium". Solvent: Water for injections What Voncento looks like and contents of the pack Voncento is supplied as a white powder and solvent for solutionfor injection/infusion. The reconstituted solution should be clear to slightly opalescent, i.e. it might sparkle when held up to the light but must not contain any obvious particles. The immediate container of product and solvent vial consists of glass vial with a rubber stopper, plastic disc, and aluminium cap. Presentations One pack with 250 IU/600 IU or 500 IU/1200 IU containing:
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder: United Kingdom CSL Behring UK Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1444 447405
This leaflet was last revised in 04/2024. ————————————————————————————————————-The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only: Posology von Willebrand disease It is important to calculate the dose using the number of IU of VWF:RCo specified. Generally, 1 IU/kg VWF:RCo raises the circulating level of VWF:RCo by 0.02 IU/ml (2 %). Levels of VWF:RCo of > 0.6 IU/ml (60 %) and of FVIII:C of > 0.4 IU/ml (40 %) should be achieved. On demand treatment Usually 40 – 80 IU/kg of VWF (VWF:RCo) corresponding to 20 – 40 IU FVIII:C/kg of body weight (BW) are recommended to achieve haemostasis. An initial dose of 80 IU/kg VWF:RCo may be required, especially in patients with type 3 VWD where maintenance of adequate levels may require greater doses than in other types of VWD. Prevention of haemorrhage in case of surgery: For prevention of excessive bleeding during or after surgery the application should start 1 – 2 hours before the surgical procedure. An appropriate dose should be re-administered every 12 – 24 hours. The dose and duration of the treatment depend on the clinical status of the patient, the type and severity of the bleeding, and both VWF:RCo and FVIII:C levels. When using a FVIII-containing VWF product, the treating physician should be aware that continued treatment may cause an excessive rise in FVIII:C. After 24 – 48 hours of treatment, in order to avoid an excessive rise in FVIII:C, reduced doses and/or prolongation of the dose interval or the use of a VWF product containing a low level of FVIII should be considered. Prophylaxis treatment For long term prophylaxis in patients with VWD, a dose of 25 – 40 IU VWF:RCo/kg body weight should be considered at a frequency of 1 to 3 times per week. In patients with gastrointestinal bleeds or menorrhagia, shorter dose intervals or higher doses may be necessary. The dose and duration of treatment will depend on the clinical status of the patient, as well as their VWF:RCo and FVIII:C plasma levels.
Paediatric VWD population Treatment of bleeding Usually 40 – 80 IU/kg of von Willebrand factor (VWF:RCo) corresponding to 20 – 40 IU FVIII:C/kg of body weight (BW) are recommended in paediatric patients to treat a bleed. Prophylaxis treatment Patients aged 12 to 18 years old: Dosing is based on the same guidelines as for adults. Patients aged <12 years old: Based on results from a clinical trial in which paediatric patients under 12 years of age were shown to have lower exposure of VWF, a prophylactic dose range of 40 – 80 IU VWF:RCo/kg body weight 1 to 3 times a week should be considered. The dose and duration of treatment will depend on the clinical status of the patient, as well as their VWF:RCo and FVIII:C plasma levels. Haemophilia A It is important to calculate the dose using the number of IU of FVIII:C specified. The dose and duration of the substitution therapy depend on the severity of the FVIII deficiency, on the location and extent of the bleeding and on the patient's clinical condition. The number of units of FVIII administered is expressed in International Units (IU), which is related to the current WHO concentrate standard for factor VIII products. Factor VIII activity in plasma is expressed either as a percentage (relative to normal human plasma) or preferably in International Units (relative to an International Standard for FVIII in plasma). 1 IU of FVIII activity is equivalent to that quantity of factor VIII in 1 ml of normal human plasma. On demand treatment The calculation of the required dose of factor VIII is based on the empirical finding that 1 IU factor VIII per kg body weight raises the plasma factor VIII activity by about 2 % of normal activity (in vivo recovery 2 IU/dl). The required dose is determined using the following formula: Required units = body weight [kg] x desired factor VIII rise [% or IU/dl] x 0.5. The amount to be administered and the frequency of administration should always be oriented to the clinical effectiveness in the individual case. In the case of the following haemorrhagic events, the factor VIII activity should not fall below the given plasma activity level (in % of normal or IU/dl) within the corresponding period. The following table can be used to guide dosing in bleeding episodes and surgery: Degree of haemorrhage / Type of surgical procedure Haemorrhage
Factor VIII level required (% or IU/dl)
Frequency of doses (hours) / Duration of therapy (days)
Early haemarthrosis, muscle bleeding or oral bleeding
20 – 40
Repeat infusion every 12 to 24 hours for at least 1 day, until the bleeding episode as indicated by pain is resolved or healing is achieved.
More extensive haemarthrosis, muscle bleeding or haematoma
30 – 60
Life-threatening haemorrhages: Surgery
60 – 100
Minor surgery including tooth extraction
30 – 60
Major surgery
80 – 100 (pre- and postoperative)
Repeat infusion every 12-24 hours for 3 – 4 days or more until pain and acute disability are resolved. Repeat infusion every 8 to 24 hours until threat is resolved. Repeat infusion every 24 hours for at least 1 day, until healing is achieved. Repeat infusion every 8-24 hours until adequate wound healing, then continue therapy for at least another 7 days to maintain a factor VIII activity of 30% – 60% (IU/dl)
Treatment monitoring During the course of treatment, appropriate determination of factor VIII levels is advised to guide the dose to be administered and the frequency of repeated infusions. Individual patients may vary in their response to factor VIII, demonstrating different half-lives and recoveries. Dose based on bodyweight may require adjustment in underweight or overweight patients. In the case of major surgical interventions in particular, a precise monitoring of the substitution therapy by means of coagulation analysis (plasma factor VIII activity) is indispensable. Prophylaxis treatment For long term prophylaxis in patients with severe haemophilia A, the usual dose is 20 to 40 IU of FVIII per kg body weight at intervals of 2 to 3 days. In some cases, especially in younger patients, shorter dose intervals or higher doses may be necessary. Paediatric haemophilia A population Dosing in in haemophilia A in children and adolescents aged ˂ 18 years is based on body weight and is therefore generally based on the same guidelines as for adults. In some cases shorter dose intervals or higher doses may be necessary. The frequency of administration should always be oriented to the clinical effectiveness in the individual case. Elderly No dose adjustment is necessary for the older people.
Voncento 1000 IU FVIII / 2400 IU VWF (10 ml solvent) powder and solvent for solution for injection/infusion comes as injection containing 1000iu / 2400iu / 10ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Voncento 1000 IU FVIII / 2400 IU VWF (10 ml solvent) powder and solvent for solution for injection/infusion is factor viii, von willebrand factor.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Voncento 1000 IU FVIII / 2400 IU VWF (10 ml solvent) powder and solvent for solution for injection/infusion, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Voncento can be used for all age groups.
von Willebrand disease (VWD)
Prophylaxis and treatment of haemorrhage or surgical bleeding in patients with VWD, when desmopressin (DDAVP) treatment alone is ineffective or contraindicated.
Haemophilia A (congenital FVIII deficiency)
Prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A.
Treatment of VWD and haemophilia A should be supervised by a physician experienced in the treatment of haemostatic disorders.
The decision on the use of the product at home for patients with VWD and with haemophilia A should be made by the treating physician who should ensure that appropriate training is provided and the use is reviewed at intervals.
The ratio between FVIII:C and VWF:RCo in a vial is approximately 1:2.4.
Treatment monitoring
During the course of treatment, appropriate determination of factor VIII levels is advised to guide the dose to be administered and the frequency of repeated infusions. Individual patients may vary in their response to factor VIII, demonstrating different half-lives and recoveries. Dose based on bodyweight may require adjustment in underweight or overweight patients. In the case of major surgical interventions in particular, precise monitoring of the substitution therapy by means of coagulation analysis (plasma factor VIII activity) is indispensable.
Posology
von Willebrand disease
It is important to calculate the dose using the number of IU of VWF:RCo specified.
Generally, 1 IU/kg VWF:RCo raises the circulating level of VWF:RCo by 0.02 IU/ml (2 %).
Levels of VWF:RCo of > 0.6 IU/ml (60 %) and of FVIII:C of > 0.4 IU/ml (40 %) should be achieved.
On-demand treatment
Usually 40 - 80 IU/kg of von Willebrand factor (VWF:RCo) corresponding to 20 - 40 IU FVIII:C/kg of body weight (BW) are recommended to achieve haemostasis.
An initial dose of 80 IU/kg VWF:RCo may be required, especially in patients with type 3 VWD where maintenance of adequate levels may require greater doses than in other types of VWD.
Prevention of haemorrhage in case of surgery
For prevention of excessive bleeding during or after surgery the application should start 1 - 2 hours before the surgical procedure.
An appropriate dose should be re-administered every 12 - 24 hours. The dose and duration of the treatment depend on the clinical status of the patient, the type and severity of the bleeding, and both VWF:RCo and FVIII:C levels.
When using a FVIII-containing VWF product, the treating physician should be aware that continued treatment may cause an excessive rise in FVIII:C. After 24 - 48 hours of treatment, in order to avoid an excessive rise in FVIII:C, reduced doses and/or prolongation of the dose interval or the use of a VWF product containing a low level of FVIII should be considered (see section 5.2).
Prophylaxis treatment
For long term prophylaxis in patients with VWD, a dose of 25 - 40 IU VWF:RCo /kg body weight should be considered at a frequency of 1 to 3 times per week. In patients with gastrointestinal bleeds or menorrhagia, shorter dose intervals or higher doses may be necessary. The dose and duration of treatment will depend on the clinical status of the patient, as well as their VWF:RCo and FVIII:C plasma levels.
Paediatric VWD population
Treatment of bleeding
Usually 40 - 80 IU/kg of von Willebrand factor (VWF:RCo) corresponding to 20 - 40 IU FVIII:C/kg of body weight (BW) are recommended in paediatric patients to treat a bleed.
Prophylaxis treatment
Patients aged 12 to 18 years old: Dosing is based on the same guidelines as for adults.
Patients aged <12 years old: Based on results from a clinical trial in which paediatric patients under 12 years of age were shown to have lower exposure of VWF, a prophylactic dose range of 40 – 80 IU VWF:RCo/kg body weight 1 to 3 times a week should be considered (see section 5.2).
The dose and duration of treatment will depend on the clinical status of the patient, as well as their VWF:RCo and FVIII:C plasma levels.
Haemophilia A
It is important to calculate the dose using the number of IU of FVIII:C specified.
The dose and duration of the substitution therapy depend on the severity of the factor VIII deficiency, on the location and extent of the bleeding and on the patient's clinical condition.
The number of units of factor VIII administered is expressed in International Units (IU), which is related to the current WHO concentrate standard for factor VIII products. Factor VIII activity in plasma is expressed either as a percentage (relative to normal human plasma) or preferably in International Units (relative to an International Standard for factor VIII in plasma).
1 IU of factor VIII activity is equivalent to that quantity of factor VIII in 1 ml of normal human plasma.
On demand treatment
The calculation of the required dose of factor VIII is based on the empirical finding that 1 International Unit (IU) factor VIII per kg body weight raises the plasma factor VIII activity by about 2 % of normal activity (in vivo recovery 2 IU/dl). The required dose is determined using the following formula:
Required units = body weight [kg] x desired factor VIII rise [% or IU/dl] x 0.5.
The amount to be administered and the frequency of administration should always be oriented to the clinical effectiveness in the individual case.
In the case of the following haemorrhagic events, the factor VIII activity should not fall below the given plasma activity level (in % of normal or IU/dl) within the corresponding period.
The following table can be used to guide dosing in bleeding episodes and surgery:
Degree of haemorrhage / Type of surgical procedure
Factor VIII level required (% or IU/dl)
Frequency of doses (hours) / Duration of therapy (days)
Haemorrhage
Early haemarthrosis, muscle bleeding or oral bleeding
20 – 40
Repeat infusion every 12 - 24 hours for at least 1 day, until the bleeding episode as indicated by pain is resolved or healing is achieved.
More extensive haemarthrosis, muscle bleeding or haematoma
30 – 60
Repeat infusion every 12 - 24 hours for 3 - 4 days or more until pain and acute disability are resolved.
Life-threatening haemorrhages
60 – 100
Repeat infusion every 8 - 24 hours until threat is resolved.
Surgery
Minor surgery including tooth extraction
30 – 60
Repeat infusion every 24 hours for at least 1 day, until healing is achieved.
Major surgery
80 - 100 (pre- and postoperative)
Repeat infusion every 8 - 24 hours until adequate wound healing, then continue therapy for at least another 7 days to maintain a factor VIII activity of 30 % - 60 % (IU/dl).
Prophylaxis treatment
For long term prophylaxis in patients with severe haemophilia A, the usual dose is 20 to 40 IU of factor VIII per kg body weight at intervals of 2 to 3 days. In some cases, especially in younger patients, shorter dose intervals or higher doses may be necessary.
Paediatric haemophilia A population
Dosing in haemophilia A in children and adolescents aged < 18 years old is based on body weight and is therefore generally based on the same guidelines as for adults. In some cases shorter dose intervals or higher doses may be necessary. The frequency of administration should always be oriented to the clinical effectiveness in the individual case.
Currently available data are described in sections 4.8 and 5.2.
Elderly
No dose adjustment is necessary for the older people.
Method of administration
For intravenous use.
For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6. The reconstituted preparation should be injected/infused slowly intravenously at a rate comfortable for the patient.
The injection/infusion rate should not exceed 6 ml per minute. The patient should be observed for any immediate reaction. If any reaction takes place that might be related to the administration of Voncento, the rate of injection should be decreased or the application should be stopped, as required by the clinical condition of the patient (see also section 4.4).
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Traceability
It is strongly recommended that every time that Voncento is administered to a patient, the name and batch number of the product are recorded in order to maintain a link between the patient and the batch of the product.
Hypersensitivity
Allergic type hypersensitivity reactions are possible. If symptoms of hypersensitivity occur, patients should be advised to discontinue use of the medicinal product immediately and contact their physician. Patients should be informed of the early signs of hypersensitivity reactions including hives, generalised urticaria, tightness of the chest, wheezing, hypotension and anaphylaxis. In case of shock, the current medical standards for shock treatment should be observed.
Virus safety
Standard measures to prevent infections resulting from the use of medicinal products prepared from human blood or plasma include selection of donors, screening of individual donations and plasma pools for specific markers of infection and the inclusion of effective manufacturing steps for the inactivation/removal of viruses. Despite this, when medicinal products prepared from human blood or plasma are administered, the possibility of transmitting infective agents cannot be totally excluded. This also applies to unknown or emerging viruses and other pathogens.
The measures taken are considered effective for enveloped viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and for the non-enveloped hepatitis A virus (HAV).
The measures taken may be of limited value against non-enveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19.
Parvovirus B19 infection may be serious for pregnant women (foetal infection) and for individuals with immunodeficiency or increased erythropoiesis (e.g. haemolytic anaemia).
Appropriate vaccination (hepatitis A and B) should be considered for patients in regular/repeated receipt of human plasma-derived factor VIII/VWF products.
von Willebrand disease
There is a risk of occurrence of thrombotic events, particularly in patients with known clinical or laboratory risk factors. Therefore, patients at risk must be monitored for early signs of thrombosis. Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism should be instituted, according to the current recommendations.
When using a FVIII-containing VWF product, the treating physician should be aware that continued treatment may cause an excessive rise in FVIII:C. In patients receiving FVIII-containing VWF products, plasma levels of FVIII:C should be monitored to avoid sustained excessive FVIII:C plasma levels which may increase the risk of thrombotic events, and antithrombotic measures should be considered (see also section 5.2).
Patients with VWD, especially type 3 patients, may develop neutralising antibodies (inhibitors) to VWF. If the expected VWF:RCo activity plasma levels are not attained, or if bleeding is not controlled with an appropriate dose, an appropriate assay should be performed to determine if a VWF inhibitor is present. In patients with high levels of inhibitor, therapy may not only be ineffective but also lead to anaphylactoid reactions and other therapeutic options should be considered.
Haemophilia A
Inhibitors
The formation of neutralising antibodies (inhibitors) to factor VIII is a known complication in the management of individuals with haemophilia A. These inhibitors are usually IgG immunoglobulins directed against the factor VIII procoagulant activity, which are quantified in Bethesda Units (BU) per ml of plasma, using the modified assay. The risk of developing inhibitors is correlated to the severity of the disease as well as exposure to factor VIII, this risk being highest within the first 50 exposure days but continues throughout life although the risk is uncommon.
The clinical relevance of inhibitor development will depend on the titre of the inhibitor, with low titre posing less of a risk of insufficient clinical response than high titre inhibitors.
In general, all patients treated with coagulation factor VIII products should be carefully monitored for the development of inhibitors by appropriate clinical observations and laboratory tests. If the expected factor VIII activity plasma levels are not attained, or if bleeding is not controlled with an appropriate dose, testing for FVIII inhibitor presence should be performed. In patients with high levels of inhibitor, factor VIII therapy may not be effective and other therapeutic options should be considered. Management of such patients should be directed by physicians with experience in the care of haemophilia and factor VIII inhibitors.
Cardiovascular events
In patients with existing cardiovascular risk factors, substitution therapy with FVIII may increase the cardiovascular risk.
Catheter-related complications
If a central venous access device (CVAD) is required, risk of CVAD-related complications including local infections, bacteremia and catheter site thrombosis should be considered.
Sodium content
Presentations with 500 IU FVIII / 1200 IU VWF (5 ml solvent) contain up to 14.75 mg (0.64 mmol) sodium per vial, equivalent to 0.74% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Presentations with 1000 IU FVIII / 2400 IU VWF (10 ml solvent) contain up to 29.50 mg (1.28 mmol) sodium per vial, equivalent to 1.48% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Paediatric population
The listed warnings and precautions apply both to adults and paediatrics.
No interaction of VWF and FVIII with other medicinal products have been studied.
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Voncento.
von Willebrand disease
Experience in the treatment of pregnant or breast-feeding women is not available.
Voncento should be administered to pregnant or breast-feeding VWF deficient women only if clearly indicated, taking into consideration that delivery confers an increased risk of haemorrhagic events in these patients.
Haemophilia A
Based on the rare occurrence of haemophilia A in women, experience regarding the treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not available.
Therefore Voncento should be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding only if clearly indicated.
Fertility
There are no data on fertility available.
Voncento has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Summary of the safety profile
During treatment with Voncento the following adverse reactions may occur: Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions, thromboembolic events, pyrexia, headache, dysgeusia and abnormal liver function test levels. Furthermore patients may develop inhibitors to FVIII and VWF.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The table presented below is according to the MedDRA system organ classification.
Frequencies have been evaluated according to the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
MedDRA Standard System Organ Class
Adverse Reaction*
Frequency
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
FVIII inhibition
VWF inhibition
Uncommon (PTPs)**
Very common (PUPs)**
Not known***
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity (including tachycardia, chest pain, chest discomfort and back pain)
Common
Nervous system disorders
Dysgeusia
Uncommon
Vascular disorders
Thromboembolic event
Uncommon
General disorders and administration site conditions
Pyrexia
Headache
Common
Very common
Investigations
Liver function test abnormal
Uncommon
*Adverse events assessed as related to administration of the Voncento
**Frequency is based on studies with all FVIII products which included patients with severe haemophilia A. PTPs = previously-treated patients, PUPs = previously-untreated patients.
*** Observed during post-marketing surveillance, not observed in clinical trials.
Description of selected adverse reactions
Hypersensitivity (allergic reactions)
Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions (which may include angioedema, burning and stinging at the infusion site, chills, flushing, generalised urticaria, headache, hives, hypotension, lethargy, nausea, restlessness, tachycardia, tightness of the chest (including chest pain and chest discomfort), back pain, tingling, vomiting, wheezing) have been observed, and may in some cases progress to severe anaphylaxis (including shock).
FVIII inhibition
Development of neutralising antibodies (inhibitors) may occur in patients with haemophilia A treated with factor VIII, including with Voncento. If such inhibitors occur, the condition may manifest itself as an insufficient clinical response. In such cases, it is recommended that a specialised haemophilia centre be contacted.
VWF inhibition
Patients with VWD, especially type 3 patients, may develop neutralising antibodies (inhibitors) to VWF. If such inhibitors occur, the condition will manifest itself as an inadequate clinical response. Such antibodies are precipitating and may occur concomitantly to anaphylactic reactions. Therefore, patients experiencing an anaphylactic reaction should be evaluated for the presence of an inhibitor. In all such cases, it is recommended that a specialised haemophilia centre be contacted.
Thromboembolic events
In patients with VWD, there is a risk of occurrence of thromboembolic events, particularly in patients with known clinical or laboratory risk factors. In patients receiving FVIII-containing VWF products, sustained excessive FVIII:C plasma levels may increase the risk of thromboembolic events (see also section 4.4).
For safety with respect to transmissible agents, see section 4.4.
Paediatric population
Frequency, type and severity of adverse reactions in children are expected to be the same as in adults.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Five cases of overdose have been reported from clinical trials. No adverse reactions have been associated with these reports.
The risk of thromboembolic events cannot be excluded in case of major overdose, especially in patients with VWD.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Factor viii, Von willebrand factor. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Factor viii, Von willebrand factor. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Voncento 1000 IU FVIII / 2400 IU VWF (10 ml solvent) powder and solvent for solution for injection/infusion. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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